The North East adult pantomime of Snow White and the Seven Drag Queens opened to great fanfare at the City Hall in Newcastle on Saturday night. Despite the chilly wind and icy conditions, eager audiences formed long queues around the venue, anticipating this unique adult-themed production, which is set to tour cities across the UK.
Headlining the show were two familiar faces from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Michael Marouli and Tomara Thomas, who joined forces with Celebrity Big Brother winner David Potts. Unfortunately, Scarlett Moffatt, known from Gogglebox, was unable to perform due to health issues, but her understudy managed to bring charm to the role of the not-so-charming Snow White. Showcasing excellent comedic timing, she established the setting by quickly taking on her character’s challenges before encountering the seven outrageous drag queens who would aid her.
The production came alive with its colorful costumes and catchy tunes. Drag queens Itchy, Bitchy, Tipsy, Tiny, Horny, Windy, and Pot transformed the tale of Snow White, breathing new life by rooting it firmly within adult comedy, creating laughter and excitement with each scene.
Audience members were immediately drawn to the high-energy opening. The show included all the familiar pantomime elements, infused with humor and poignant references, which kept everyone entertained from start to finish. One particularly noteworthy moment came during the performance of Dancing Through Life from Wicked by Prince Albert, which excited the crowd and highlighted his charming and witty character.
For many attendees, what made the show even more exhilarating were two actors from RuPaul’s Drag Race: Tomara Thomas and Michael Marouli. Their presence opened the show to fans who had followed their reality TV journeys, creating moments dripping with applause as they appeared on stage. Responses were especially lively when Tiny, played by Thomas, and Bitchy, played by Marouli, took their turns to showcase their immense talent.
The performance heavily relied on audience interactions, with several moments allowing the queens to improvise. "The majority of the audience were familiar with the cast by their reaction," reported one delighted viewer. The comedic rapport on stage added to the enjoyment, resulting in unforgettable laughter. There were minor line slips, expected by panto-goers, which only amplified the humor of the moment, producing chuckles across the packed room.
Another highlight came when Deborah Taylor-Smith, stepping in for Moffatt, closed Act 1 with her mesmerizing vocals, singing Rise Like A Phoenix. New faces garnished with sparkles and humor engaged the crowd throughout the entire show.
Act 2 continued the momentum, presenting performances mainly from the queens, including Celebration, marking Snow White’s 18th birthday. Amidst the array of fantastic performances, the audience was introduced to one favorite character, the Amazon Delivery Driver clad only in hot pants and hi-vis, who every time appeared on stage, brought uproarious applause and laughter.
The show capped off with the classic panto song If I Was Not in Pantomime, performed by the seven drag queens along with Dirty David, providing the audience with the perfect ending to this wild tale. Audiences departed with smiles and chats buzzing about their favorite moments, as they left the theatre feeling entertained and delighted.
While the show stuck to the basic narrative of the traditional Snow White story, it introduced clever twists and comedic elements to keep viewers engaged. One audience member mentioned, "Overall, I think this is a really funny show. It stuck to the basic Snow White narrative fairly closely, whilst adding and changing scenes to keep the audience interested."
Despite some preferences for different seating arrangements, as standing throughout did not appeal to everyone, the overall reception favored the lively and raucous spirit the production captured. The adult pantomime succeeded, creating not just laughter but bringing communities together through the spirit of theatre, proving once again the transformative power of performances rooted deeply within cultural awareness.